How to Make Compost in High Desert (Beat the Dryness & Cold)
Composting method for Utah's dry climate—pile-building, moisture management, and hot vs. cold composting.
TL;DR
- Time: 3–6 months to finished compost
- Cost: $
- Yield: 1 ton of finished compost per season
- Difficulty: Beginner
Supplies
- Brown materials: fallen leaves, straw, shredded paper, wood chips
- Green materials: grass clippings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, manure
- Bin materials: wood slats, wire mesh, or plastic bin (optional—you can pile on the ground)
- Shovel or garden fork
- Water source (hose, bucket)
Tools
- Pitchfork (for turning)
- Thermometer (optional, to monitor heat)
- Mesh screen or sifter (for finishing compost)
Steps
Build or locate your compost bin
You can be fancy (store-bought tumbler, 3-bin system) or simple (pile in a corner). For most home gardeners, a simple bin of wood slats or wire (3×3 feet × 3 feet tall) works fine. Or just pile on the ground in a corner and cover with a tarp. Compost doesn't care about the container; it cares about the ingredients.
Layer brown and green materials
Start with a layer of brown (leaves, straw, shredded paper). Then add green (grass clippings, veggie scraps, manure). Repeat layers, keeping the 3:1 brown-to-green ratio. Each layer should be 4–6 inches. The more you layer, the faster decomposition—turnings happen faster with a taller pile.
Water as you build
This is critical in Utah. Piles dry out fast. As you add layers, mist each one so it's moist but not waterlogged (like a wrung-out sponge). A dry pile won't decompose. A waterlogged pile stinks and attracts flies. Find the middle ground.
Cover the pile
Use a tarp, old rug, or plywood to keep rain and snow off (too much water slows things down) and to retain moisture. Utah's low humidity is your enemy—covering helps.
Turn the pile (optional but speeds decomposition)
Hot composting: Turn the pile every 7–10 days with a fork, moving outer material to the center. This aerates, speeds decomposition, and kills weed seeds. Finished in 3–4 months if you're diligent. Cold composting: Just leave the pile alone. It breaks down slowly (6–12 months) but requires zero effort. Most home gardeners do a hybrid: lazy piling that occasionally gets turned.
Monitor temperature and moisture
The pile should feel warm to the touch (heat is decomposition happening). If it's cold and damp, add more brown material. If it's dry, water. If it stinks (ammonia smell), add more brown. Adjust and monitor until finished compost looks dark, crumbly, and smells earthy.
Pro Tips
Fall is the best time to build a compost pile. You have lots of leaves (brown), and cooler weather means less drying.
Avoid meat, dairy, and oils in the compost. They attract rodents and smell bad. Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells are safe.
Grass clippings pack down and heat up fast—great for hot piles. But layer them thin or they'll mat. Mix with leaves.
Shredded leaves compost faster than whole leaves. If you have a leaf vacuum, use it.
Manure from herbivores (horses, cattle, sheep) is great compost. Manure from meat-eaters (dogs, cats) should never go in edible-garden compost.
If you have a choice, chop or shred materials before piling. Smaller pieces decompose faster.
Warnings
Don't add diseased plant foliage to compost (tomato blight, powdery mildew, etc.). Cold compost won't get hot enough to kill spores. Bag and trash diseased material.
Don't add black walnut leaves or husks. They're allelopathic (they kill other plants). Same goes for diseased wood or branches treated with pesticides.
Research & Sources
- Home Composting in Utah
Dr. Heidi Kratsch, USU Extension (2024) - Composting Methods for High Desert Climates
Dr. Dan Drost, USU Extension (2023) - Organic Matter Management
Utah State University Extension (2024) - Sevier County Composting Guide
Sevier County Extension (2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
How wet should my pile be?
Like a wrung-out sponge. If water drips out, it's too wet. If it's dust-dry, it's too dry. Check by squeezing a handful of material.
Why does my pile smell like ammonia?
Too much nitrogen (green material). Add more brown material (leaves, straw, shredded paper) to balance it out.
How do I know when it's done?
Finished compost is dark brown, crumbly, and smells earthy (not sour or rotten). Original materials are unrecognizable. If you see whole leaves or twigs, it's not done yet.
Can I compost in winter?
Decomposition slows dramatically below 50°F. Keep piling in fall, but don't expect much action in winter. Spring comes and things speed up again.
